The bill amends section 715.72 of the Revised Code to allow two or more municipalities to create a joint economic development district (JEDD) without the involvement of a township. Key changes include redefining "contracting party" to refer specifically to a municipal corporation or township, ensuring that at least one contracting party is a municipal corporation and at least one is either a township or a municipal corporation where the district is located. The bill also establishes criteria for the designated areas of the JEDD, requiring them to be contiguous and free of residents, except in mixed-use developments, and mandates consent from any municipal corporation or township whose land is included.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for elector approval for the designation of a JEDD in certain contracting parties, particularly those that do not levy an income tax exceeding one percent. It allows for exceptions to this requirement under specific conditions, such as unanimous approval from the board of trustees or legislative authority. The governance structure of the JEDD is also detailed, including board composition and terms, while ensuring transparency by mandating public access to relevant documents. The bill further establishes restrictions on annexation proceedings for unincorporated territories within a JEDD and allows for agreements on zoning and land use regulations, ultimately repealing the existing section 715.72 to update the legal framework governing these districts.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 715.72